FIRST Legislative Advocacy June 14, 2016 Ben Grove, Legislative Assistant Thompson Coburn Lobbying & Policy

Introduction FIRST’s Legislative Successes Legislative & Appropriations Progress State Requests Commemorative Coin Legislation Dean’s Homework

FIRST’s 2015 Government Relations Goals Legislation that includes funding for afterschool, mentor-based K-12 engagement programs Work with Executive Branch to see that funding is spent on such programs  Work with states to implement programs like those in Michigan, Iowa, Minnesota, etc.

Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Every Student Succeeds Act – Passed with overwhelming bipartisan majorities in the House and the Senate – Strong STEM language included by Senators Kirk (R-IL) and Franken (D-MN) – Signed by President Obama in December 2015 Title IV, Part A- $1.6 billion Authorized – Provided block grants to all states to use as they want – Districts given flexibility – Includes spending funds to “support the participation of low- income students in nonprofit competitions related to STEM subjects (such as robotics, science research, invention, mathematics, computer science, and technology competitions)

Work is Not Done Passage of ESSA is only a start Next Step: Appropriations – Passed annually to fund segments of the government – Coalition Building – FIRST has joined the STEM Ed Coalition to lobby for full funding

State Requests ESSA took 54 STEM-existing programs and consolidated them into 9 categories (including after school robotics programs) Senate has only proposed $300m of the $1.6b allocation – Issue has been finding a “pay-for” (cutting a program to make room for new funding) – Still a chance to get higher funding in the House appropriations bill Funding should be settled/allocated by the end of the year Process starts again next year!

And a secondary assignment Dean’s Homework AssignmentHomework Assignment

Christa McAuliffe Commemorative Coin Dean’s request for a U.S. Mint Coin to commemorate Christa McAuliffe – Died tragically in the Challenger Space Shuttle Disaster – Would commemorate her work with the Teacher in Space program – Authorizes the production of 350k $1 coins, with a $10 surcharge Surcharge would be paid to FIRST FIRST could receive up to $3.5 million from the sale of these coins – Would allow us to expand FIRST programs into additional underserved communities

Legislative Maneuverings Bills have been introduced – H.R & S End of Congress Possible Legislative Vehicles Commemorative Coin reforms

Cosponsors, Cosponsors, Cosponsors 16 down, 271 to go! Bipartisan and Bicoastal Social Media August Recess

Thank You Questions? Primary contacts – – Thank you